Afghanistan Peace CampaignBy Fidel Rahmati
Khaama Press
Two senior U.S. officials dismissed rumors of American troops returning to Afghanistan, confirming that the United States has no military presence or plans to reoccupy Bagram airbase.
Two senior U.S. officials have categorically dismissed claims that American troops have returned to Afghanistan or regained control of the Bagram airbase, calling the rumors “entirely baseless.”
A Pentagon source confirmed that “no U.S. troops are in Afghanistan,” while a diplomatic official in Washington said there are no plans or negotiations to re-establish a military presence in the country.
The clarification follows days of widespread speculation on social media and local outlets suggesting that the Taliban had asked residents near the Bagram airbase, north of Kabul, to evacuate the area. The rumors spread rapidly amid an internet blackout and disrupted communication networks across Afghanistan.
The renewed speculation intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed his administration might negotiate with the Taliban to “reclaim” the Bagram base, which he described as strategically vital for countering China’s influence and combating ISIS. Trump warned that “serious consequences” would follow if the Taliban refused to hand over the base.
In response, the Taliban’s military leadership firmly rejected the reports, stating that they will not hand over the Bagram airbase to the United States or any foreign power. Taliban officials also dismissed claims of prisoner transfers or troop withdrawals from Bagram as fabricated.
Despite official denials from both Washington and Kabul, speculation persisted online that the Taliban and the U.S. had reached a secret understanding regarding control of the airbase. Some political activists suggested a possible arrangement through intermediaries such as Qatar, the UAE, or Uzbekistan.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Policy magazine recently noted that a negotiated U.S. return to Bagram “cannot be ruled out,” current political and security conditions make such a move highly improbable.
For now, both U.S. and Taliban officials insist that no American military personnel are in Afghanistan — and that Bagram, once the centerpiece of U.S. operations, remains firmly under Taliban control.